Consultation outcome

Small sewage discharges: new approach to how we regulate in England

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 30 April 2014
• Last updated: 9 October 2014 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

This consultation has concluded

Read the full outcome

Summary of responses and government response

PDF, 303 KB

Detail of outcome

Following consideration of respondents’ views, we plan to implement the proposed simpler regulatory approach. This will control small sewage discharges from septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants in England. The new approach will include general binding rules, which will replace the existing registration scheme and conditions. It will be a more risk-based approach to permitting in sensitive areas.

Detail of feedback received

We received 120 responses to this consultation.

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Original consultation

Summary

Seeking views on changing how we regulate small domestic sewage discharges from septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants in England.

This consultation was held on another website.

This consultation ran from
30 April 2014 to 11:59pm on 9 June 2014

Consultation description

We want to know what you think about our proposals for a new approach to regulating discharges from septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants.

We are proposing a simpler and more risk-based approach to controlling these types of discharges in England.

The proposals would remove administrative burdens on over 400,000 rural households and businesses who have septic tanks or small sewage treatment plants whilst keeping the necessary controls to prevent pollution, protect public health, improve drinking water supplies and protect sensitive habitats.

13 May 2014: The original email address for queries and responses to this consultation is no longer working. Please use [email protected] for any further queries or responses.

Published 30 April 2014
Last updated 9 October 2014 + show all updates

1. 9 October 2014

   Government response added.

2. 25 July 2014

   Summary of responses document replaced with an updated version. Annex A was corrected to include respondent: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

3. 24 July 2014

   Summary of responses added.

4. 13 May 2014

   The original email address for queries and responses to this consultation is no longer working. Please use [email protected] for any further queries or responses.

5. 30 April 2014

   First published.